Larsen secures more than $50 Million for Northwest Washington transit agencies

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN |||

SNOHOMISH, SKAGIT AND WHATCOM COUNTIES, WA – This week, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded more than $50 million in grant funding to four Northwest Washington transit agencies to transition to low emission buses, improve service reliability and invest in paratransit services.  

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver cleaner and greener bus service to Northwest Washington,” said Larsen, the lead Democrat on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. “This critical funding will allow local transit agencies to reduce carbon emissions and maintenance costs while ensuring riders continue to have reliable, accessible transportation options.”  

The grant funding comes from FTA’s Low- or No-Emission Vehicle and Buses and Bus Facilities initiatives. As co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Bus Caucus, Rep. Larsen has long worked to increase federal funding for bus transit, including low-emission buses. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invested $5.6 billion through Fiscal Year 2026 in the Low-No Program – more than six times greater than the previous five years of funding combined – and nearly $2 billion in Buses and Bus Facilities.  

Grants for Local Transit Agencies 

Northwest Washington transit agencies were awarded more than $50 million in grant funding: 

• $10.07 million for Everett Transit to replace diesel and hybrid buses with new hybrid buses  
• $9.37 million for Skagit Transit to purchase paratransit vehicles and 8 heavy-duty 40-foot coaches  
• $13.99 million for Community Transit to replace diesel buses with hybrid buses  
• $16.72 million for Whatcom Transportation Authority to replace diesel and hybrid buses with new hybrid buses  

What Transit Agencies are Saying 

Northwest Washington transit agencies celebrated the grant funding and highlighted their importance to local communities and commuters. 

“This is great news,” said Everett Transit Director Mike Schmieder. “The $10.07 million awarded to Everett Transit by the FTA will support the purchase of nine diesel-electric hybrid buses and ensure the continued delivery of safe, clean, and reliable transit service in our community. We appreciate our community partners, as well as U.S. Reps. Rick Larsen and Suzan DelBene, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers in helping secure this invaluable funding.” 

“Skagit Transit is grateful to Congressman Larsen for his leadership in securing this critical federal investment. These new vehicles will replace aging buses, expand our capacity, and allow us to increase service to meet growing demand across Skagit County,” said Skagit Transit CEO Crystle Stidham. “This grant funding strengthens regional connections, improves reliability for riders, and fuels local job and economic growth.” 

“We are grateful for Congressman Larsen’s support securing this critical Federal Transit Administration funding,” said Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz. “Adding new hybrid electric buses to Community Transit’s fleet will help us keep our region’s people, economy and environmental sustainability moving in the right direction.”

“WTA is thankful for this opportunity to improve the safety and reliability of our service while also lowering our carbon emissions,” said Whatcom Transportation Authority Board Chairperson and Ferndale City Council Member Ali Hawkinson. “This funding represents an important win for our riders, for our entire community, and for our environment.”